The feral rabbits that have been inhabiting the Helmcken interchange area will soon have a safe home thanks to the efforts of local volunteers, as well as ministry staff.

The volunteer group approached the ministry in the Fall, offering the necessary funds to spay, neuter and relocate the rabbits. Since then, the ministry has been working closely with the group to organize the relocation. A plan is now in place to move the population of approximately 80 rabbits to a private sanctuary in the United States.

In the coming weeks, a professional trapper will begin to capture the rabbits. Once trapped, the rabbits will be spayed/neutered by local veterinarians, and subsequently relocated. For safety reasons and to ensure the success of the trapping efforts, the ministry is reminding drivers not to stop to try to feed, pet or catch the rabbits.

Rabbits at this location need to be removed because they create a distraction for drivers and a potential hazard for all road users, and their burrows undermine the sidewalk and affect our ability to maintain the median. Once the rabbits have been trapped, crews will repair the areas damaged by the burrows and harden the infrastructure to discourage future attempts at recolonization.

The ministry reminds the public that abandoning pet rabbits outside is an unacceptable practice. In addition to being unfair and inhumane to the rabbits, it creates public safety issues. If you are no longer able to keep your pet, contact an animal shelter and always have your pets spayed or neutered.